Cultivator



R. S. MATTINGLEY,

CULTIVATOR.

APPL|CATION FILED DEC-4, I9l9.

Patented May 25,1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

INVENTOR H. 6.. MATIZNGLEI;

A TTORNEYS WITNESSES R. s. MATTINGLEY.

CULTIVATOR. APPLICATIQN FILED 05cm I919.

Patented May 25, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR 2?.6. MA Z'J'JNOLEY,

WITNESSES A TTORNEYS Patented May 25, 1920.

4 sums-sun 3-.

R. S. MATTINGLEY.

'CULTIVATOR.

nrucmon FILED 0:0.4. I919.

INVENTOR- R S. MATTYNGLEZ WITNESSES ATTORNEYS Y R. S. MATTINGLEY.

GULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 02cm 1919.

1,341,240. mm May 25,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES mus/won 1?. 5. MIJYNGLEY,

(/ I I l ITTURNEYS curren- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAY sonrnn MATTINGLEY, or ,noc cronr, INDIANA.

CULTIVATOB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application filed December 4, 1919. Serial No. 342,356.

to provide an improved cultivator of this type which may be readily and easily adapted to the cultivation ofa great variety of crops and in which all of the subsidiary operations incidental to the use of the cultivator, such asthe adjustment of the cultivating or earth-working elements; the steering of the cultivator; the control of the draft, etc, may be efficiently carried out under the control of a single operator.

Another object is to provide an improved steering means particularl adapted and associated with the improve construction embodying theother features of my invention,

and in which the cultivator may be turned,

or its direction of travel completely reversed on the shortest practical steering radius possible; the steering means being for this purpose partially automatic and partially under the direct control of the cultivator operator.

Another object is to provide an improved means for adjusting the cultivating or earth-working elements horizontally with respect to each other and vertically with respect to the earth and for resiliently main taining the same in vertically adjusted position. 1

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction,

arrangement, and comhinationiof parts and will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cultivator;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same; ,Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the cultivatorshowing especially the cultivating or earth-working elements proper and the associated means for eifecting various adjustments and operations of the same;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in side elevation showing the cooperation between the slotted arm of the guide rod for the earth-working elements and the supporting frame;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, in rear elevation, of one of the rear wheels and associated structures Fig. 7 is a detail view of the vertical portion of the main drag bar;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view on line 8-8 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the removable shank of the weed cutter.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my invention provides a frame consisting of front, rear, and intermediate arch members, designated at 11, 12 and 13, respectively, and longitudinal angle members 14 secured to each of said arch members, as shown. A. seat 10, for the driver or operator, is mounted on the rear arch member 12. The rear and intermediate arch members have their lower ends turned outward, substantially at right angles, as shown at 12 and 13, respectively, and the longitudinal angle members 14 rest upon these right angled out turned portions and are secured to the arch members by bolts and nuts 15 and 16, respectively. All of the arch members, as well as the longitudinal angle members, are preferably of metallic construction, and the rear and intermediate arch members are of channelshaped section, as shown in the drawings. ()n the under side of the rear arch members are arranged substantially vertically extending auxiliary frame members 17 and 18 which have their upper ends adjacent the highest point of the arch of the member 12 and have these upper ends bent to con form to the contour of the arch member 1.2 and secured to the same by bolts and nuts, or any other suitable means. The auxiliary frame members 17 and 18 are provided adjacent the lower end of the arch member 12 with right angle extensions 19 and 20, respectively, having apertures therethrough, and the lower ends of the auxiliary frame members are bent outwardly at right angles.

as shown at 17 and 18, and are provided with apertures alined with the apertures of said right angle extensions 19 and 20.

Axles 21 are mounted in the alined apertures of said extensions in said lower outwardly bent portions, and these axles support the frame. A collar 22, being fixed to each of the axles, is arranged to lie directly beneath the right angle extensions 19 and 20, in fact the right angle extensions rest upon the collars 22. The lower end of each of the axles is turned outwardly at right angles to form an axle spindle 23 to carry the rear ground wheels 21, which are provided with radially extending circumferential rim flanges 24: formed symmetrically with respect to the median plane of each wheel. From a point directly above the right angle extension the axles are bent inwardly to conform approximately to the curvature of the arch members, and these curved portions of the axle, shown at 25, constitute cranks. A swinging lever 26 is pivoted at 27 to the highest point of the arch of the intermediate arch member 13, and the outer ends of the swinging lever are connected to the upper ends of the cranks 25 by connecting links 28. A

be hereinafter more fully described.

foot-pedal 29 is secured to the swinging lever 26, as at 29, and, if desired, it may also be bolted to the connecting link to impart further rigidity to the same. The foot-pedals are arranged so as to be convenient to the feet of the driver and may be operated by him to swing the lever 26 and consequently the wheels 2& in steering movement as will Scrapers 21 are mounted upon the axle and cooperate with the wheels 24, as shown in the drawing.

A front arch member 11 is preferably of flat rectangular cross section and has the central portion of its top offset vertically as shown at 11'. The longitudinal angle member 14 is bolted as at 30 to the member 11, but the member 11 extends downwardly beyond the angle member 1 1 on each side thereof, and the lower. ends of the frame member 11 are turned outwardly at right angles. Mounted within the arch member 11 is an auxiliary frame 31 which is of generally U-shape and bolted to the arch member at 31. The lower ends 32 of the auxiliary frame member are turned outwardly at right angles and lie directly beneath and in contact with the out turned right angled portion of the member 11, and these out turned right angled portions are bolted to each other as shown at 32. The right angled extension 32 extends outwardly for a considerable distance. Braces 33 and 33 are provided between the member 11 and the longitudinal member 1 1 on the upper and lower sides of the same, respectively. Each of the end portions of the top of the arch member 11 is provided with openings which are alined with like openings provided in the extensions 32 of the auxiliary frame member 31.

Axles 34: are mounted in these openings and each of these axles have fixed thereto :1 collar 35 upon which the arch member 11 rests and upon which, therefore, the weight of the forward end of the cultivator is taken. The axles 31 are arranged vertically as shown and have at their lower end axle spindles 34; arranged at right angles, upon which the front ground wheels 30 are mounted and have at their upper ends steering arms 37, the outer ends of which are connected by a drag link 38.

A fifthrwheel arrangement, in the form of a lever 39 pivoted centrally to the vertically offset portion of the arch member 11, is pivotally connected at its inner end to the drag link 38 and carries at its outer end the draft pole or tongue 40 arranged to be capable of vertical movement, and adapted when swung horizontally to carry with it the lever 39, or, in other words, to swing the lever 39 above its central pivot. It is to be noted that the drag link 38 rests upon the top of the lever 39, the axles and other parts being proportioned to effect this arrangement. An evener -11 is pivoted to the draft pole connection, and depending vertically from the evener ll are draft bars =12 which are connected by drag links 43 to the front hook of a clevis 141 secured to the extension 32 of the auxiliary frame.

Cultivators proper or earth-working elements of the gang type are arranged on each side of the cultivator between the front and rear wheels thereof. Each of these consists of a main drag bar .15 having a verti cally extending front portion 416 provided with a plurality of apertures 46 to any one of which the hook 48 may be secured. The hook 455 is then connected to the rear hooks of the clevis 4A by flexible connecting elements, preferably in the form of a chain -19. The vertically extending portion 16 is connected to the main drag bar 45 by a brace 50. A cross bar 51 is secured to the front end of the main drag bar and to this cross bar are pivoted spaced drag bars 52 all independent of each other and may be spaced at different distances or at the same distance from the main drag bar as desired, .and for this purpose spacing bars 53 are provided, each of which have their outer ends pivoted to the inner side of their respective spaced drag bars 52 as at 54, and have their under sides adjacent the inner ends notched or locked. as at for engagement with the main draft bar 45. The only manner in which these spacing bars 53 can be displaced from the main drag bar 45 is by a relatively vertical movement 01' the spaced bars 52. and this effectually prevented by means of the cross head 56 which is secured to the main drag bar by a clip 56' a mounted on the main drag and whose outer ends bear against the top of the spaced drag bars. To each of the drag bars are secured a lurality of earth-working elements 47, suc as harrow teeth, shovels, etc, by means of removable clamps 57.

A vertically extending operating rod 58 is fixed to the cross head 56 and .a collar 59 is slidable on the operating arm 58. The collar 59 is mounted on alined pivots, each of which is secured to the opposite arms of the fork 60 formed on the arm 61 of the lever 62, pivoted at 63 to a casting .64ssecured to the frame, whereby when the lever 62 is swung about its pivot, rectilinear motion along the rod 58 is imparted to the collar 59. Mounted on the operating rod on each side of 6118;: collar 59 are coil springs 63, each ofwhich have one end abutting the collar 59 and the other end bearing against suitable abutments formed on the opposite ends of the operating rods. These abutments may be washers or any suitable means fixed tothe operating rod by engagement with nuts or any structure stationary with said operating rods. It is then seen that motion is resiliently imparted to the operatin rod by the lever 62 through the medium of the springs 63. The casting 64 has integrally formed thereon asegmental rack 65, and a spring-actuated looking dog or ratchet 66 slidably mounted on the lever 62, is normally engaged with said rack to maintain the lever 62 in position. A small hand-gripping lever 67 is provided adjacent the outer end of the lever 62, whereby said locking dog or ratchet may be withdrawn when in engagement with the segmental rack to operate the lever 62, if desired. As soon, however, as the gripping lever 67 is released the locking dog, under the influence of the spring, immediately engages with the segmental rack and the lever 62 is thereby maintained in adjusted position. The cross head 56 secured to the main drag bar 45 is preferably arranged so that the center of gravity of the eartlrworking elements will be slightly to the rear thereof and that the rear portion will be under the influence of a couple of small moments tending to depress the same and swinglthe same downwardly about the cross head. This tendency, however, is overcome to such an extent that when the operating rod 58 ,7 is elevated the entire earth-working element is elevated by virtue of the employment of certain guide means. This means comprises a vertically depending guide rod 68 having a slotted arm 69 arranged at right angles thereto and adjustably secured to the arch member 13 by means of the bolt nut 70. A guide block 71 is pivotally bar 45 by means of a clamp 72, the guide block has spaced cars 73 formed on each side thereof, the

adjusted may be cars opposite each other being provided with alined openings to receive the axles 74 and anti-friction rollers 75. The block 71 and the anti-friction rollers 75 thereof provide a channel which receives the depending guide rod 68, the component of the force tending to swing the earth-work ing element downwardly about the cross head 56 is taken up by this guiding means and this motion is thereby prevented. If desired, the earth-working elements, such as harrow teeth, shovels, etc., may be removed and shanks 76 carrying weed outters 77, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, may be attached to the gang frame of the cultivator. These shanks are removable from the gang frame by virtue of the clamps 57 and after being removed are removable from the weed cutters proper by virtue of the particular construction and arrangement of the heads 7 6 of the shanks and of the shape of the slot 77' of the weed cutter into which the head of the shank is inserted and turned to locking position before being clamped to the gang frame.

In practice, the driver positioned in the seat, normally engages the foot pedals 29 with his feet, and, of course, controls the draft the usual way. lVhen a turn is to be made it is to be noted that the draft pole 40 is swung with the draft and through the lever 39. Drag link 38, steering arms 37 and the axle swing the front ground wheels 36 so that the plane thereof is at all times maintained parallel to the plane of the draft pole, or, in other words, parallel to the direction of the draft. The rear wheels are steered in the manner most expedient under the conditions by the driver operating through the foot pedals 29 upon the swinging lever and consequently upon the axles to swing the wheels 2%. Inthis manner a turn may be effected on the shortest practical radius, and in the most efficient manner, the front wheels being automatically steered and the rear wheels manually and independent of the front wheels.

The earth-working elements are capable of all adjustments necessary to effectively deal with varying conditions. These elements may be adjusted bodily in a line transverse of the cultivator, or their parts adjusted independently; the first adjustment being effected by an adjustment of the slotted arms 69 and the latter adjustment being effected by the spacing bars 53.

Moreover, the earth-working. elements may be adjusted vertically either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the cultivator so as to be resiliently supported against the earth or relative engagement with the earth.

In general, the cultivator may be readily and easily adapted to a cultivation of a great variety of crops and may be easily operated to efliciently deal with the changing and adverse conditions met with in practice.

I claim:

1. A cultivator of the character described, comprising a frame consisting of front, rear, and intermediate arch members and longitudinal members secured to said arch members, a pair of axles mounted on said front arch member, and a pair of axles mounted on said rear arch members, the axles of said pairs being mounted for rotary movement about their vertical axis, ground wheels one for each of said axles adapted for a swinging steering movement upon the rotary movement of said axles, means under the control of the driver for imparting steering movement to the rear wheels, means controlled by the draft to impart steering movement to said front wheels to maintain the plane of said wheels parallel to the line of the draft, cultivating means associated with said frame, and means for resiliently adjusting said cultivating means vertically with respect to said frame, all as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A cultivator of'the character described comprising a frame consisting of front, rear, and intermediate arch members and longitudinal members secured to said arch members, a pair of axles mounted on said front arch member and a pair of axles mounted on said rear arch member the axles of said pairs being mounted for rotary movement about their vertical axes, ground wheels one for each of said axles, adapted for a swinging steering movement upon the rotary movement of said axles, means under the control of the driver for imparting steering movement to the rear wheels and means controlled by the draft to impart steering movement to the said front wheels to maintain the plane of said wheels parallel to the line of draft.

3. A cultivator of the character specified, comprising a frame including a front arch member, running gear for said frame including a bar or axle mounted on the front arch member for supporting said frame, each of the axles of said bar being mounted for rotary movement about its vertical axis, ground wheels one for each of said axles adapted for a swinging steering movement upon the rotary movement of said axle, and steering means including a draft pole mounted for swinging movement with re spect to said frame, and means directly connecting the inner end of said draft pole with said axles to rotate said axles about their vertical axes in a degree proportional,

to the swinging movement of the draft pole with respect to the frame, whereby the steering movement is imparted to said front wheels to maintain the plane of said wheels parallel to the line of draft.

4. A cultivator of the character described, comprising a frame consisting of front, rear, and intermediate arch members and longitudinal members secured to said arch members, running gear for said frame including a pair of axles mounted on said rear arch member, each of said axles being mounted for rotary movement about its vertical axis, and ground wheels one for each of said axles and adapted for a swinging steering movement upon the rotary movement of said axles, and means under the control of the driver to impart steering movement to said rear wheels, including a swinging lever pivoted centrally to said intermediate arch member and connecting means between said swinging lever and said axles.

5. A cultivator of the character described comprising a wheeled frame, a cultivating element connected to said frame, means for adjusting said cultivating element vertically with respect to said frame and guiding means for said cultivating elements in said vertical movements including a guide bar depending from said frame, and a guide block pi oted to said cultivating element and associated with said guide bar, all as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A cultivator of the character described comprising a wheeled frame, a cultivating element connected to said frame, means for adjusting the cultivating element vertically with respect to said frame, and means for guiding said cultivating element in a vertical movement and constraining said cultivating element to vertical movement, including a swinging block secured to said cultivating element, and having a channel therethrough, and a depending guide rod secured to said frame and engaged in the channel of said guide block.

7. A cultivator of the character described comprising a wheeled frame, a cultivating element connected to said frame, means for adjusting the cultivating element vertically with respect to said frame, and means for guiding said cultivating elements in a vertical movement and constraining said cultivating element to vertical movement, including a swinging block secured to said cultivating element and having a channel therethrough, and a depending guide rod engaged in the channel of said guide block and having an arm at right angles thereto to be adjustably connected to said frame.

8. A cultivator of the character described comprising a cultivator frame including a front arch member, a rear arch member. an intermediate arch member, longitudinal angle members secured to each of said arch members, a pair of front wheels rotatably connected with said front arch member, and

intermediate arch member, longitudinal angle members secured to each of said arch members, an auxiliary frame member connected to said front arch member, an auxiliary frame member connected to said rear arch member, a pair of axles mounted upon said rear arch member and said rear auxiliary frame, a pair of axles mounted upon said front arch member and said front auxiliary frame, and a Wheel rotatably mounted upon each of said axles.

10. A cultivator of the character described comprising a frame, a gang cultivator associated with said frame, including a main drag bar, a cross bar, auxiliary drag bars pivotally secured to said cross bar for swinging movement toward and away from said main drag bar, spacing bars for each of said auxiliary drag bars vertically pivoted to said auxiliary drag bar and having its outer end provided with a plurality of vertical notches adapted. for engagement with said main drag bar, a cross head releasably secured to said main drag bar and engaging said auxiliary drag bars for preventing disengagement of said spacing bars from said main drag bar, all as and for the purposes set forth.

RAY SQUIER MATTINGLE Y. 

